Mexican archdiocese notes firm condemnation of abuse by Pope Benedict

Mexico City, Mexico, Mar 22, 2010 / 19:58 pm

In a press release last week titled, “The Church, Between Trust and Mistrust,” the Archdiocese of Acapulco in Mexico underscored Pope Benedict XVI’s firm rejection of clerical sex abuse and condemned the media campaign attacking the Catholic Church. 

“The cases of sexual abuse by some clergy members in different regions of world, especially in Europe and the United States, have caused much embarrassment and pain,” the statement indicated.  “Pope Benedict XVI has called this repugnant conduct an atrocious crime that must always be condemned, especially when committed by clergymen.” 

After acknowledging that only a few media sources have accurately covered this issue, the press release noted that “reports have maliciously magnified the actions with the intent of discrediting the Church and confusing the faithful.”

Nevertheless, the archdiocese said, this campaign does not appear to have been successful, as recent polls show that the Catholic Church is the institution most trusted by Mexicans, whereas last year it was the third most trusted. 

Despite attacks on the Church, this fact reveals that “many Mexicans of good faith know and appreciate the efforts of the laity, priests and nuns in daily life and in all corners of the country,” concluded the archdiocese.